Organic waste dryer apparatus

ABSTRACT

An apparatus to effect drying of organic waste wherein the waste product is metered into a thin layer within a plurality of troughs upon the bed of a primary dryer apparatus, the waste product being moved through the troughs by a staggered plow arrangement, the waste products being subjected to conductive heat and convective heat and radiative heat within the dryer apparatus upon exit from the dryer apparatus the waste product being pulverized and conducted through a vertical dryer into a cyclone separator.

United States Patent 1191 1111 3,744,145 Maxwell et al. July 10, 1973ORGANIC WASTE DRYER APPARATUS 3,327,659 6/1967 Nolan et al. 110/8 RInvemors: Bert F. Maxwell Santa Paula; 2,767,668 10/1956 Spooner 263/8 RDonald A. Price; Harold A. Price,

. Primary Examiner-John J. Camby both of Orange, all of Cal1f. AtmmeyJeSsup & Beecher [73] Assignee: Julius Goldmans Egg City,

Moorpark, Calif. [57] ABSTRACT [22] Filed: Mar. 29, 1971 An apparatus toeffect drying of organic waste wherein the waste product is metered intoa thin layer within a [21] Appl' 129077 plurality of troughs upon thebed of a primary dryer apparatus, the waste product being moved throughthe 52 us. c1 ..34/68, 110 8, ug y a staggered p arrangement, the waste34/180 34/ 1 432/140 432/144 products being subjected to conductive heatand con- 51 1111. C1. F27b 9/24 veetive heat and radiative heat withinthe dryer pp [58] Field at Search 263/8, 28; 1 10/8 we "P exit from thedryer apparatus the waste P uct being pulverized and conducted through avertical References Cited dryer into a cyclone separator.

UNITED STATES PATENTS Claims, 11 Drawing Figures 3,515,078 3/1969Maitilasso 110/8 R 118 142 I20 5 -l 76 124 22 l o 78 e 88 '62 84 V vsI36 74 '34 I I a T 64 32 r N R C n :1 F/: 5,"; 24 T I I 34 5 '08 i/\\. fI I mmm SIEHIG'S s m m W W DONALD A. PRICE HAROLD A. PRICE BERT MAXWELLBY JE$$UP a BEECHER Arro EYS v Pmmznm 3.744.145

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DONALD A. PRICE f HAROLD A. PRICE BERT MAXWELL JESSUPB BEECHER PAIENIEBJUL! 0191s INVENTORS. DONALD A. PRICE HAROLD A. PRICE BERT MAXWELLJESSUP 8 BEECHER ATTOR EYS ORGANIC WASTE DRYER APPARATUS BACKGROUND OFTHE INVENTION The field of this invention relates to an apparatus fordisposing of organic wastes and more particularly to an apparatus whicheffects removal of moisture from the organic waste resulting in theformation of an organic waste which can be readily incinerated.

All waste material is eventually discharged into surface or ground watercourses, which constitute the natural drainage of an area. Most wastematerial contain offensive and potentially dangerous substances, whichcan cause pollution and contamination of the receiving water bodies.Contamination is defined as the impairment of water quality to thedegree that creates a hazard to public health. Pollution refers to theadverse effects on water quality that interfere with proper andbeneficial use.

In the past, the dilution afforded by the receiving water body wasusually great enough to render the volume of waste substances innocuous.Since the turn of the century, however, the dilution of many rivers hasbeen inadequate to absorb the waste discharges caused by the increase inpopulation and expansion of industry.

Because of the human population increase within recent years, there hasalso been a substantial increase in animal husbandry production to feedthe increased mass of human population. As a result, along with theincrease in the animal population, there has been a proportionalincrease in animal manures. Animal manures, such as poultry, cattle,sheep and hogs contain a substantial amount of moisture which makes thedisposal of such difficult. Additionally, the sewage plant waste fromthe activated sludge process contains a substantial amount of moisture.Such manures and sewage plant waste tend to resist mechanical dryingprocedures and processes by adhering and caking upon the surfaces ofsuch process equipment tending to form clumps and balls. Because of theproperties of such waste products, surfaces of high heat insulation areformed upon the process equipment which tend to make the drying processinefficient. Also, such previous disposal processes create substantialvolumes of moisture laden air and organic gases that are extremelyodoriferous and tend to travel considerable distances permeatinghabitations andthe atmosphere in general.

For a great many years, the most common method of disposing of organicwaste has been land disposal. Land disposal is where the organic wastecan be distributed upon agricultural land and' plowed under. Althoughthe organic waste enriches the soil, this practice has certain publichealth dangers and must be closely supervised.

Because in recent years of the large amount of organic waste which isbeing produced, a major portion of the waste cannot be disposed of byland disposal. Also, with the land disposal technique being phased outand fertilization being employed instead, some means must be employed toeffect disposal of the organic waste.

It has been known common to employ the use of a drying bed to dispose ofsuch wastes. Basically, the drying bed effects distribution of theorganic waste within an area open to the atmosphere. Drying takes placeby means of the sun. Although the dried waste from the drying bed haslittle or no odor, the drying procedure may take several weeks.

Also, in some instances, incineration of organic waste has developed asa means of disposal. Heretofore, such incineration requires auxiliaryheat because of the moisture of the organic waste being substantial.

Basically, the process of the prior art for disposing of organic wastesuffer seriously from one or more of three basic problems. The threeproblems are as follows: (1) Air pollution due to the emission of odorsand particulate matter; (2) High expense of dehydration due to theproblem of the organic waste adhering to the processing and handlingequipment; (3) Difficulty in disposal of the dehydrated product aftercompletion of the disposal process.

As a result of the above noted problems, the receiving and processingplants are being forced to move to less populated areas. This movementof plants cannot be readily accomplished without great expenseespecially where the plant is of substantial size.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The apparatus of this invention, which employsan efficient method of disposal of organic waste, uses as its principalcomponent a primary drying apparatus. The organic waste is to bedeposited into a metering hopper which conducts the organic waste anddeposits such on a conveyor belt system in a steady stream. The organicwaste on the conveyor belt system is then passed through a magneticfield which is to effect removal of any metallic elements which may becontained within the waste. The waste is then deposited into a meteringhopper which distributes the waste into the inlet end of the dryerapparatus. The metering hopper is to oscillate along the entire width ofthe dryer bed so as to evenly distribute the waste therealong. The dryerbed comprises a plurality of elongated troughs placed in parallelrelation to each other. The troughs are to be made of a heat conductivematerial such as steel or the like. Associated with each trough are aplurality of longitudinally spaced apart fingers which are to be movablewithin the trough. The fingers are to effect a pushing of the wastematerial along the bed of the dryer apparatus from the inlet end to theexit end. The bed of the dryer apparatus is inclined at approximately a15 angle with respect to horizontal. The fingers within each trough arestaggered with respect to the width of the trough so as to effect evenmovement of the waste material along each trough. Heat energy issupplied from a burner arrangement to a chamber located beneath thedryer bed. A portion of the heat energy is to be conducted through thematerial of the trough and into the organic waste material. Theinherently produced convective heat energy which is produced within thechamber is moved by a blower assembly through appropriate ducting andsupplied to the upper surface of the trough and directly onto theorganic waste material. Radiative heat energy is also directly appliedto the upper surface of the organic waste material through an infra-redheater assembly. The partially dried waste material then exits the dryerapparatus through an auger assembly and is conducted to a hammermillapparatus. The hammermill apparatus pulverizes the waste material intoextremely small particles which permits the particles to be conducted bygases through a conduit into a vertical drying apparatus. The particlesof waste material after passing through the vertical drying apparatusare conducted through a separating apparatus with the gaseous productsbeing discharged. The resultingly formed particulate matter of the wastematerial is to be deposited as into a storage hopper.

A primary feature of this invention is to provide for an economical andpractical answer for disposal of organic waste material.

Another feature of the apparatus of this invention is that it is fullycompatible with the requirements of modern husbandry and waste disposalin that it receives and processes each days wastes as they aregenerated.

Another feature of the apparatus of this invention is that the dried endproducts can be readily incinerated in full compliance with airpollution standards to destroy entirely the organic matter thereinresulting in the production of a readily disposable ash.

Another feature of this invention is that minerals may be captured andused in foodstuffs as a supplement or in fertilizer.

Another feature of the apparatus of this invention is that theincinerated end product can be employed as the prime source of energyfor the primary drying apparatus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a fragmentary isometric viewof the inlet hopper which conducts the organic waste material in acontinuous steady stream to a feed conveyor;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 but in the opposite direction of theapparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the inlet hopperemployed within this invention taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a simplified, longitudinal, cut-away view of the dryerapparatus and its associated metering hopper employed within thisinvention;

FIG. 5 is a front view of the metering hopper employed within thisinvention taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view through the metering hopper andassociated structure of this invention taken along lines 66 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view through a portion of the dryer bedwithin the dryer apparatus of this invention taken along line 7-7 ofFIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view through the exit end of the dryer,apparatus of this invention taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 9 is a diagramatic representation of the structure employed toeffect pulverizing and additional drying of the organic waste materialafter exit from the dryer apparatus;

FIG. 10 is a diagramatic representation of the structure employed toeffect the final drying of the organic waste material and the associatedstorage facility after completion of the drying; and

FIG. I] is a fragmentary, cut-away, isometric view of the inlet end ofthe dryer apparatus employed within this invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE SHOWN EMBODIMENT Manures are usually handledin large volume and are commonly transported within a truck type ofmotor vehicle such as a dump truck. It is desired that a receivingdevice of the apparatus of this invention be employed which permits thedump truck to easily and quickly discharge its load of manure. Thereceiving device then is to automatically and evenly meter out at asteady rate to the drying apparatus the organic waste.

Referring particularly to the drawings, the receiving area employedwithin this invention provides for an inlet hopper 20, a conveyorassembly 22, and a metering hopper 24. The inlet hopper 20 is showncontained within a housing 26 which is encased within the ground orflooring 28. Located within the housing 26 and substantially level withthe upper surface of the flooring 28 are a plurality of rollers 30. Therollers 30 are capable of rotational movement with respect to thehousing 26. However, there is a certain amount of space located betweeneach of the rollers 30. The arrangement is such that a vehicle such as adump truck 32 carrying a load of manure 34 can be driven from theflooring 28 upon the rollers 30 and then dump the load of manure uponthe rollers as shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings. The manure then passesthrough the spacing located between the rollers 30 and is guided bysides 36 of the inlet hopper 20 toward the drags 38.

Each of the drags 38 comprises a rectangular plate which is mounted onedge with respect to a first floor 40. The spacing between adjacentdrags 38 is denoted as compartments 42. Each of the drags 38 are securedto a continuous chain 44. The chain 44 is wrapped around a pair ofspaced apart drive pulleys 46. The pulleys 46 are fixed with respect tothe housing 26 and are to be rotatably driven by means of a motor (notshown). ,When the pulleys are driven by the motor, the drags 38 movealong the first floor 40 on edge as shown in FIG. 3 of the drawings.Actually, the manure located within each of the compartments 42 upon thefirst floor 40 is being moved in a direction opposite from the exit ofthe inlet hopper 20. At the back end of the inlet hopper 20 the manureis deposited from each compartment 42 upon a second floor 48 which islocated beneath the first floor 40. By causing the manure to fall fromthe first floor 40 up to a second floor 48, it has been found that themanure within each compartment 42 is regulated to be substantially equalin volume. End plate 50 prevents the manure 34 at the back end of thehopper 20 from being conducted exteriorly of a compartment 42. The drags38 can now continue to move the manure 34 along the second floor 48toward the discharge end of the hopper 20. A gate may be employed at thedischarge end to regulate'the flow of discharge to further insure thatthe flow of manure is metered at a steady constant rate.

The manure from the inlet hopper 20 is to be discharged onto acontinuous belt'52 of the conveyor assembly 22. The conveyor system isshown to be substantially horizontal at the discharge section of theinlet hopper 20 and to be inclined upwardly in the area of the meteringhopper 24. A motor 56 is connected to a drive pulley 58 and effectsmovement of the conveyor belt 52. The conveyor system functions to movethe manure from the inlet hopper 20 to the inlet opening 60 of themetering hopper 24. A magnetic separator assembly 62 is located directlyadjacent the manure 34 on the inclined portion of the conveyor belt 52.It is the function of the magnetic separator assembly 62 to remove anyferrous particles which may be included within the manure 34. It is tobe understood that it is not absolutely necessary to employ the magneticseparator assembly 62, but is desirable to insure nonpassage of ferrousparticles through the entire apparatus. It is also to be understood thatalthough only one inlet hopper is shown, two such hoppers 20 may beemployed, one located on each lateral side of the conveyor assembly 22.It is also to be understood that although a belt type of conveyor isshown it is to be understood that other types could be employed forexample, a compartmentilized drag system similar to what was employed inthe inlet hopper 20.

The metering hopper assembly 24 includes a metering hopper 64 which hasan upper inlet opening 60 and a lower discharge opening 66. The meteringhopper 64 is pivotally mounted upon a pivot shaft 68. The pivot shaft 68is mounted by trunnions 70 and 72 upon a frame 74. The frame 74 isfixedly secured to supporting structures such as flooring 28 or otherfixed structure.

Secured to a portion of the frame 74 is a motor 76 which through adriving belt 78 drives a drive pulley 80. The drive pulley 80 isconnected to a shaft 82 which is fixedly secured to an appropriatedriving means (not shown), which in turn effects movement of belt 52 ofthe conveyor assembly 22. In essence, the motor 76 effects movement ofthe inclined portion of the conveyor assembly 22 with the motor 56effecting movement of the horizontal portion of the conveyor assembly22.

A motor 84 is also secured to the frame 74 with the shaft 86 of themotor 84 effecting rotation of the flywheel 88. A linkage arm 90 ismounted for pivotable eccentric movement upon the flywheel 88. The freeend of the linkage arm 90 is pivotally secured to a fixed arm 92. Thearm 92 is fixedly secured to the shaft 68.

The manure that has moved through the inlet hopper 20 and has beendeposited in a steady stream upon the conveyor belt 52 is conducted anddeposited within the inlet opening 60 of the metering hopper 64. Themotor 84 causes the linkage arm 90 to move longitudinally apredetermineddistance. This longitudinal movement of the linkage arm 90 istransmitted through the fixed arm 92 and effects pivotal movement of theshaft 68 with respect to the frame 74. As a result, pivotal movement ofthe metering hopper 64 occurs with the discharge end 66 movingtransversely across the inlet opening 94 of a primary dryer apparatus96. The function of the oscillating movement of the metering hopper 64is to evenly distribute the manure across the width of the dryer bed 98of the apparatus 96. As long as the conveyor belt 52 of the conveyorsystem 22 is being operated, the hopper 64 continuously oscillates backand forth across the width of the dryer bed 98, thereby evenlydistributing the manure thereacross.

The construction and arrangement of the inlet hopper 20 the conveyorassembly 22 and the metering hopper 24, all of which constitute thereceiving structure incorporated within this invention, has beendesigned to be readily maintained and repaired without removal thereof.However, if removal is required, such can be readily accomplished.

In order to reduce the tendency of the manure 34 to stick and cake tothe processing equipment, it is necessary that the manure be exposed tosubstantial heat energy during the drying process. It has been foundnecessary that it is not only desirable to subject the manure to dryingby convection, but also by conduction and radiation. Additionally, themanure tends to form balls and clumps which will dry on the surface butremain wet inside. As a result, it has been found to be necessary toconstantly stir and knead the manure mechanically to keep the dryingsurfaces of the dryer clean from caked manure and also to keep the ballsand clumps broken up. Additionally, the caking of the manure upon themechanical drying surfaces exhibits very poor heat transfercharacteristics, which therefore require mechanical apparatus whichkeeps the drying surfaces clean.

One objective of the primary drying apparatus 96 of this invention is toraise the temperature of the manure to a point where contained moisturewill be released and all pathogens as well as all plant life destroyed.This objective is gained by dividing the dryer bed 98 into a pluralityof elongated parallel troughs 100. Each of the troughs 100 are formed ofa heat conductive material such as steel or the like. Basically, eachtrough 100 is channel shaped having a bottom surface being formed of aportion of the dryer bed 98 with side walls 102 extending upwardlytherefrom. The objective of the construction of each trough 100 is suchthat heat energy is readily conductible from the dryer bed 98 upwardlythrough the side walls 102 and dissipated into the area of the trough100. As a result, the heat energy is entering each of the troughs 100from each of the side walls and the bottom thereof.

The other objective of the apparatus of this invention is to provideeven distribution of the manure into the troughs 100 so that maximum useof the heated surfaces of the troughs may be realized. This is achievedthrough the use of the previously mentioned metering hopper 64. Themetering hopper is timed to distribute the manure evenly across theentrance end of the troughs 100. If for some reason the manure is beingsupplied at too fast a rate into the metering hopper 64, an apparatus isto be employed which would automatically stop the operation of theconveyor assembly 22 and the inlet hopper 20. During this time outperiod, the metering hopper 64 would continue to oscillate continuingdistribution of the manure within the dryer 96. After this time outperiod, the conveyor assembly 22 and the inlet hopper 20 wouldautomatically restart resulting in the supplying of manure again to themetering hopper 64. This time out" period permits the emptying orsubstantial emptying of the accumulated manure within the meteringhopper 64.

Another objective of the primary dryer apparatus 96 of this invention isto mechanically move the manure through the troughs 100 by a means thatwill automatically keep the heated surfaces free of caked manure, whileat the same time mixing and kneading the material so that the manurewhen discharged from the apparatus of 96 be in the form of small pelletlike particles. To achieve this objective, a plurality of fingers 104are to cooperate within each trough 100. The fingers are secured to atransverse bar 106 which supports a transverse row of the fingers foreach of the troughs 100. A transverse bar is fixedly secured to acontinuous chain drive assembly 108. The chain drive assembly 108includes a plurality of transversely spaced apart continuous chains 110.It is to be noted that in actual practice, four in number of such chains110 has been found to be desirable. However, it is to be understood thatthe number of such chains is to be considered a matter of choice ofdesign.

Each of the chains 110 is mounted upon a driving pulley 112 at the inletend of the dryer apparatus 96 and an idler pulley 114 located at theexit end of the dryer apparatus 96. Each of the driving pulleys 112 isfixedly mounted upon a shaft 116. Each of the idler pulleys 114 isfixedly mounted upon a shaft 120. The

shaft 116 is rotatably mounted by means of trunnions 122 with thetrunnions 112 being fixedly secured upon the dryer apparatus housing118. The shaft 116 is to be rotatably driven by means of a motor (notshown). I

Upon operation of the motor (not shown), the chains 110 are moved abouttheir pulleys 112 and 1 14 thereby effecting movement of the fingers 104within the troughs 100. It is to be noted that the entire drive assembly108 is located within a chamber 124 formed within the housing 118. It isimportant to notethat the fingers 104, in moving back from the exit endof the dryer apparatus 96, move adjacent the upper end of the chamber124. This is desirable for reasons which will become more apparentfurther on in the description.

It is to be noted that each of the fingers 104 are located at adifferent transverse placement within its respective trough with respectto longitudinally adjacent fingers 104. In other words, the fingers 104within each trough are located in a staggered condition. This staggeringof the fingers 104 is so that the fingers tend to move, knead'and mix adifferent portion of the manure as the fingers 104 move through thetrough. Also, the fingers 104 do not permit the manure to cake upon thesurfaces of the trough and prevent the desired heat transfer into themanure. Because of the staggered condition of the fingers, the surfacesof the troughs are constantly being wiped clean.

The design of each of the fingers 104 is considered a matter of choiceand design. It is found to be desirable to use a rectangular or squareshaped finger, however, the use of a round or cylindrical shaped fingeris not to be precluded.

Another objective of this invention is to be able to vary the movementvelocity of the fingers within the heated trough to be compatible withthe varying moisture consistency of the manure. This is accomplished byemploying a variable speed motor which drives the driving pulleys 112.Such is desirable as the manure upon leaving the primary dryer apparatus96 should be of the same moisture content regardless of the moisturecontent of the manure entering the drying apparatus 96' The primarysource of heat energy is supplied by a plurality of gas furnaces 126which are located within a chamber 128 within a housing 1 18. Thechamber 128 is located beneaththe dryer bed 98. Each of the furnaces 126are supplied gas from a source (not shown) which is ignited within thechamber 128. Normally, the temperature within the second chamber 128will be within the range of 500 to 750 Farenheit. It is to be understoodthat the operator will have adjustment means to control the temperaturewithin the second chamber 128. I

The heat energy is to be directly conductible through the dryer bed 98and into the side walls 102 of each of the troughs 100. As a result, themanure 34 within each of the troughs 100 is being subjected toconductive heat energy, this heat energy being transferred from thechamber 128 by means of fan 130 and supplied to plenum 132 through aduct system 134. Because a certain amount of the heat energy is lostduring this conductance through the duct system 134, an additional heatsource supplied by a burner 136 is to reheat the air located within theduct system 134. The plenum 132 is employed to transversely displace theheated air with respect to the dryer bed 98 and effect an impingement ofthe air onto and into the manure contained within the troughs 100. Inother words, the manure 34 is now being subjected to convection heatingas well as conduction heating. It is normally desired that the airleaving the plenum 132 be at approximately 450 Farenheit. The plenum 132is located between the forward and return portion of the continuouschain drive assembly 108. The plenum 132 is to be conventionallysupported by means (not shown) to the side walls of the primary dryerapparatus 96.

It is to be noted that the heated air within the chamber 124 functionsto pass around the fingers 104 upon their being returned from the exitend of the apparatus to the inlet end of the dryer apparatus. The heatedair in the chamber 124 then functions to completely dry any of themanure which may be stuck to the fingers 104 permitting such to fallfree of the fingers 104 prior to reusage. This is an important featureof this invention.

Another objective of this invention is the further removal of moisturefrom the manure and to pasteurize' deep inside fibrous materials orconglomerate masses prior to discharge from the primary dryer apparatus96. Also, it is the objective of the dryer apparatus 96 of thisinvention to destroy all objectionable air pollution effluents so as tocomply in full with air pollution regulations. The above objectives areto be achieved by placing directly over the heated troughs an infra-redgas fired burner assembly 138. Although the infra-red burner assemblydoes not subject the manure to a certain amount of heat energy byconvection, the primary type of heat energy which the infra-red burnersubject the manure to is heat energy by radiation. Air is supplied tothe infra-red burner assembly 138 by means of a fan 140.

A first vent to the ambient is provided by stack 142 just downstreamfrom the infra-red burner assembly 138. The reason for stack 142 is thatthe moisture content and gas content which may be quite extensive willnot prohibit the transfer of heat energy from the infrared burnersthrough the manure 134.

Located upstream of the infra-red burner assembly 138 is a second ventprovided by a stack 144. The remaining moisture and gases which arecontained within the chamber 124 are then exhausted to ambient throughthe stack 144.

It is to be understood that thematerial being discharged through thestacks 142 and 144 will be exhausted into the ambient in full compliancewith the air pollution regulations. If necessary, burners may beemployed within the stacks to combust any combustible gases passingtherethrough, and also filtering systems may be employed to collect anyparticulate matter which may be passing therethrough. However, it is envisioned that employing the primary dryer apparatus 96 of this inventiondoes not significantly produce any undesirable combustible gases whichmay put hydrocarbons into the atmosphere, or does not significantlyproduce any particulate matter. The products contained within the stacks142 and 144 should primarily constitute moisture.

The manure 44 after being dried by the primary dryer apparatus 96 isdeposited by the fingers 104 through the exit end of the housing 118into an auger housing 146. Located within the auger housing 146 is anauger 148 which is fixed upon a shaft 150. The auger 148, through shaft150, is rotatably driven by a motor (not shown). The auger 148 is toconduct the manure leaving the dryer apparatus 96 to a supply conduit152. Normally, the manure leaving the dryer housing 96 will containapproximately 25 to 35 percent moisture by weight. Hence, the manure maybe further processed as hereinafter described and/or sent to other usessuch as field applied fertilizers or other similar uses. However, if itis desired to further demoisturize the manure, the following apparatusmay be employed.

The following apparatus has been specifically designed to removemoisture and still not destroy nutrients in the manure and/or create airpollution emissions. The manure which drops into the supply conduit 152often times consists of small clumps, balls, etc. formed around feathersand chicken manure, foilage within other manures, and latex and othersimilar materials which are not digested in activated sewage sludgesolids. Therefore, it is desirable to break into small granules theclumps of materials which contain most of the still entrained moisture.This objective gains for this invention two desirable characteristicsthe first being a more desirable end product and the second being thatit is much easier to complete the final dehydration of the manure bygreatly increasing the surface drying area.

To accomplish the above objective, the manure is conducted from thesupply conduit 152 into a rotary valve assembly 154. The rotary valveassembly 154 is driven by a shaft 156 and is to regulate the flow of themanure through the supply conduit 152. Also, the rotary valve assembly154 buffers the fall of the manure down the supply conduit 152.Additionally, the rotary valve assembly 154 segregates the air pressureof the chamber located beneath the rotary valve assembly 154 as comparedto the chamber located above the rotary valve assembly 154. The valveassembly 154 is driven by a motor (not shown).

A first duct 158 carrying a hot air stream conducts the hot air into thesupply conduit 152 downstream of the rotary valve 156. The first duct158 is connected to a main duct 160 which is open to the ambient with aburner 162 effecting the heating of the air passing therethrough.

The combination of the hot air and the manure which is conducted withinthe supply conduit 152 past the ro tary valve assembly 156 istransmitted into a hammermill apparatus 164. Basically, the hammermillapparatus 164 is deemed to be conventional and consists of replacableblades fastened to a center drive shaft. The blades are caused to beextended by centrifugal force causing a pulverizing of the manureadjacent the interior of the hammermill housing. The pulverizedmaterial, upon achieving the desired pulverized size, is permitted topass through a screen 166 back into the main conduit 160.

The hot air which is being supplied through the hammermill not onlyfacilitates the drying of the manure but also facilitates the conductingof the manure through the screen 166. The pulverized manure should nowbe quite small and readily carried by the gaseous flow through the mainduct 160 toward the vertical dryer apparatus 168. The air is beingpulled through the main duct 160 by a means of a blower assembly locatedabove the vertical dryer apparatus 168. The blower apparatus 170 is tobe sufficiently strong enough to tend to pull the air and the particlesof manure vertically upward through the dryer apparatus 168. What occurswithin the vertical dryer apparatus 168 is that the particles must whirlaround within the apparatus and only pass past the vertical dryer uponbeing relieved of sufficient moisture so as to be light enough inweight. After leaving the vertical dryer apparatus only a very smallamount of moisture remains within the manure 34, approximately 5percent.

The next objective is to separate the saturated hot air from the driedmanure. To achieve this, the combination of air and dry manure issupplied into a cyclone separator 172. Within the cyclone separator 172the heated air is discharged at the upper end thereof into the ambientwith the pulverized manure being permitted to fall at the lower end ofthe separator. The construction of the cyclone separator 172 is deemedto be convention and need not be described here in detail.

With some types of manures being processed it may be advisable todischarge the hot air emission from the first cyclone separator 172 intoa second cyclone separator. Such an instance would be desirable wherethe dried product tends to be dusty and the use of such a second cycloneseparator would be desirable in order not to lose product and to complywith particulate matter emissions of the air pollution regulations.

The final discharge temperature of the air from the cyclone separator172 must be such that it is above the dew point for the ambient. Hence,the design of the final drying stage must be accomplished so that properheat air balances exist to not only remove the moisture in the productto the desired level, but also without degrading the product or causingorganic gas releases which would be odoriferous to the atmosphere.Controls are to be employed in combination with this final drying stageso as to allow the operator to regulate the discharge temperature.

The dried end product from the cyclone separator 172 can be permitted tofall within a storage hopper 174. Within this storage hopper 174 thedried manure can be retained until it is desired to be used and to beconveyed to a furnace where the material might be burned with the heatenergy being employed to effect drying of the manure within the primarydrying apparatus 96.

In certain instances it may be desirable to feed back as portion of thedried manure to intermix with the incoming wet manure. It is envisionedthat as great as 40 to percent of the dried manure may be resupplied tothe primary drying apparatus 96. This will tend to prevent the wetmanure from forming an insulative outer surface which resistspenetration by heat energy. Additionally, the moisture within the wetmanure will be distributed to the dry manure facilitating the dryingprocedure. This same concept can be applied to the hammermill apparatus164 with approximately fifteen percent of the dried product to beresupplied to the hammermill to intermix with the partially dried manureto facilitate the final drying procedure.

What is claimed is:

1. An organic waste dryer apparatus comprising:

a housing having an inlet opening and an exit opening, said inletopening to permit supplying of waste into said dryer apparatus, saidexit opening to effect removal of said waste from said dryer apparatus;

first means located within said housing to effect movement of said wastefrom said inlet opening to said exit opening;

second means located within said housing and above said waste to exposesaid waste to heat energy by radiation;

third means to expose said waste to heat energy by convection; saidthird means located above said waste;

fourth means to expose said waste to heat energy by conduction; saidfourth means located below said Waste;

said third and fourth means employing the same source of heat energy.

2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein:

said first means includes a dryer bed upon which said waste is movedthrough said apparatus said dryer bed being formed into a plurality ofseparate troughs, said troughs being constructed from a heat conductivematerial.

3. An organic waste dryer apparatus comprising:

a housing having an inlet opening and an exit opening, said inletopening to permit supplying of waste into said dryer apparatus, saidexitopening to effect removal of said waste from said dryer apparatus;

first means located within said housing to effect movement of said wastefrom said inlet opening to said exit opening;

second means located within said housing and above said waste to exposesaid waste to heat energy by radiation;

said first means includes a dryer bed upon which said waste is movedthrough said apparatus said dryer.

bed being formed into a plurality of separate troughs, said troughsbeing constructed from a heat conductive material;

said troughs being substantially channel shaped with the apex of thechannel forming the bottom surface of said dryer bed and the channelside walls extending upwardly therefrom, the conduction of heat energybeing transmitted from said bottom surface into said side walls.

4. Apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein:

said fourth means includes a first chamber located beneath said dryerbed, a source of heat energy located within said first chamber.

5. Apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein:

said third means includes a second chamber located above said dryer bed,fan means to move the heat energy from said first chamber into saidsecond chamber.

6. Apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein:

said fan means moving the heat energy through a duct system, a plenumconnected to said duct system and located within said second chamber,said plenum to effect even distribution of the heat energy from saidduct system into said second chamher.

7. Apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein:

an additional source of heat energy located within said duct system.

8. An organic waste dryer apparatus comprising:

a housing having an inlet opening and an exit opening, said inletopening to permit supplying of waste into said dryer apparatus, saidexit opening to effect removal of said waste from said dryer apparatus;

first means located within said housing to effect movement of said wastefrom said inlet opening to said exit opening;

second means located within said housing to expose said waste to heatenergy by radiation;

said first means includes a dryer bed upon which said waste is movedthrough said apparatus, said dryer bed being formed into a plurality ofseparate troughs, said troughs being constructed of a heat conductivematerial;

said troughs being substantially channel shaped with the apex of thechannel forming the bottom surface of said dryer bed and the channelside walls extending upwardly therefrom, the conduction of heat energybeing transmitted from said bottom surface into said side walls;

a first chamber located beneath said dryer bed, a source of heat energylocated within said first chamber;

a second chamber located above said dryer bed, fan means to move theheat energy from said first chamber into said second chamber;

said fan means moving the heat energy through a duct system, a plenumconnected to said duct system and located within said second chamber,said plenum to effect even distribution of the heat energy from saidduct system into said second chamber;

said second means being located within said second chamber.

9. Apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein:

said second means being located upstream of said plenum.

10. Apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein:

a first vent to ambient is provided intermediate said plenum and saidsecond means.

11. Apparatus as defined in claim 10 wherein:

said second means comprises a plurality of infra-red burners.

12. Apparatus as defined in claim 10 wherein:

a second vent to ambient is provided upstream of said second means.

13. An organic waste dryer apparatus comprising:

a housing having an inlet opening and an exit opening, said inletopening to permit supplying of waste into said dryer apparatus, saidexit opening to effect removal of said waste from said dryer apparatus;

first means located within said housing to effect movement of said wastefrom said inlet opening to said exit opening;

second means located within said housing to expose said waste to heatenergy by radiation;

said first means includes a dryer bed upon which said waste is movedthrough said apparatus, said dryer bed being formed into a plurality ofseparate troughs, said troughs being constructed of a heat conductivematerial;

said dryer bed being canted at approximately fifteen degrees withrespect to horizontal with the-exit end of said dryer bed being greaterin height than the inlet end.

14. An organic waste dryer apparatus comprising:

a housing having an inlet opening and an exit opening, said inletopening to permit supplying of waste into said dryer apparatus, saidexit opening to effeet removal of said waste from said dryer apparatus;

first means located within said housing to effect movement of said wastefrom said inlet opening to said exit opening; and

second means located within said housing to expose said waste to heatenergy by radiation;

said first means includes a dryer bed upon which said waste is movedthrough said apparatus, said dryer bed being formed into a plurality ofseparate troughs, said troughs being constructed from a heat conductivematerial;

said first means including a finger assembly, said finger assemblyhaving a plurality of spaced apart finger elements to move within eachof said troughs toward said exit opening of said housing.

15. Apparatus as defined in claim 14 wherein:

each of said finger elements being substantially less' in width than thewidth of its respective trough. 16. Apparatus as defined in claim 15wherein: each of said finger elements within each trough being staggeredwith respect to each other across the width of its respective trough.

17. Apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein:

said first means include a finger assembly, said finger assembly havinga plurality of spaced apart finger elements to move within each of saidtroughs toward said exit opening, said finger assembly being movable bymeans of a continuous drive member assembly, said finger elements beingmoved from said exit opening to said inlet opening through said secondchamber out of association with said troughs.

18. Apparatus as defined in claim 17 wherein:

said continuous drive member assembly being driven by a motor assembly,said motor assembly being capable of being varied in speed to therebyvary the velocity of movement of said finger elements with respect tosaid dryer bed.

19. Apparatus as defined in claim 17 wherein:

said continuous drive member assembly comprising a plurality of separatecontinuous drive elements.

20. Apparatus as defined in claim 19 wherein:

each of said continuous drive members comprising a chain.

1. An organic waste dryer apparatus comprising: a housing having aninlet opening and an exit opening, said inlet opening to permitsupplying of waste into said dryer apparatus, said exit opening toeffect removal of said waste from said dryer apparatus; first meanslocated within said housing to effect movement of said waste from saidinlet opening to said exit opening; second means located within saidhousing and above said waste to expose said waste to heat energy byradiation; third means to expose said waste to heat energy byconvection; said third means located above said waste; fourth means toexpose said waste to heat energy by conduction; said fourth meanslocated below said waste; said third and fourth means employing the samesource of heat energy.
 2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein: saidfirst means includes a dryer bed upon which said waste is moved throughsaid apparatus said dryer bed being formed into a plurality of separatetroughs, said troughs being constructed from a heat conductive material.3. An organic waste dryer apparatus compRising: a housing having aninlet opening and an exit opening, said inlet opening to permitsupplying of waste into said dryer apparatus, said exit opening toeffect removal of said waste from said dryer apparatus; first meanslocated within said housing to effect movement of said waste from saidinlet opening to said exit opening; second means located within saidhousing and above said waste to expose said waste to heat energy byradiation; said first means includes a dryer bed upon which said wasteis moved through said apparatus said dryer bed being formed into aplurality of separate troughs, said troughs being constructed from aheat conductive material; said troughs being substantially channelshaped with the apex of the channel forming the bottom surface of saiddryer bed and the channel side walls extending upwardly therefrom, theconduction of heat energy being transmitted from said bottom surfaceinto said side walls.
 4. Apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein: saidfourth means includes a first chamber located beneath said dryer bed, asource of heat energy located within said first chamber.
 5. Apparatus asdefined in claim 4 wherein: said third means includes a second chamberlocated above said dryer bed, fan means to move the heat energy fromsaid first chamber into said second chamber.
 6. Apparatus as defined inclaim 5 wherein: said fan means moving the heat energy through a ductsystem, a plenum connected to said duct system and located within saidsecond chamber, said plenum to effect even distribution of the heatenergy from said duct system into said second chamber.
 7. Apparatus asdefined in claim 6 wherein: an additional source of heat energy locatedwithin said duct system.
 8. An organic waste dryer apparatus comprising:a housing having an inlet opening and an exit opening, said inletopening to permit supplying of waste into said dryer apparatus, saidexit opening to effect removal of said waste from said dryer apparatus;first means located within said housing to effect movement of said wastefrom said inlet opening to said exit opening; second means locatedwithin said housing to expose said waste to heat energy by radiation;said first means includes a dryer bed upon which said waste is movedthrough said apparatus, said dryer bed being formed into a plurality ofseparate troughs, said troughs being constructed of a heat conductivematerial; said troughs being substantially channel shaped with the apexof the channel forming the bottom surface of said dryer bed and thechannel side walls extending upwardly therefrom, the conduction of heatenergy being transmitted from said bottom surface into said side walls;a first chamber located beneath said dryer bed, a source of heat energylocated within said first chamber; a second chamber located above saiddryer bed, fan means to move the heat energy from said first chamberinto said second chamber; said fan means moving the heat energy througha duct system, a plenum connected to said duct system and located withinsaid second chamber, said plenum to effect even distribution of the heatenergy from said duct system into said second chamber; said second meansbeing located within said second chamber.
 9. Apparatus as defined inclaim 8 wherein: said second means being located upstream of saidplenum.
 10. Apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein: a first vent toambient is provided intermediate said plenum and said second means. 11.Apparatus as defined in claim 10 wherein: said second means comprises aplurality of infra-red burners.
 12. Apparatus as defined in claim 10wherein: a second vent to ambient is provided upstream of said secondmeans.
 13. An organic waste dryer apparatus comprising: a housing havingan inlet opening and an exit opening, said inlet opening to permitsupplying of waste into said dryer apparatus, said exit opening toeffect removal of said waste from said dryer apparatus; first meanslocated within said housing to effect movement of said waste from saidinlet opening to said exit opening; second means located within saidhousing to expose said waste to heat energy by radiation; said firstmeans includes a dryer bed upon which said waste is moved through saidapparatus, said dryer bed being formed into a plurality of separatetroughs, said troughs being constructed of a heat conductive material;said dryer bed being canted at approximately fifteen degrees withrespect to horizontal with the exit end of said dryer bed being greaterin height than the inlet end.
 14. An organic waste dryer apparatuscomprising: a housing having an inlet opening and an exit opening, saidinlet opening to permit supplying of waste into said dryer apparatus,said exit opening to effect removal of said waste from said dryerapparatus; first means located within said housing to effect movement ofsaid waste from said inlet opening to said exit opening; and secondmeans located within said housing to expose said waste to heat energy byradiation; said first means includes a dryer bed upon which said wasteis moved through said apparatus, said dryer bed being formed into aplurality of separate troughs, said troughs being constructed from aheat conductive material; said first means including a finger assembly,said finger assembly having a plurality of spaced apart finger elementsto move within each of said troughs toward said exit opening of saidhousing.
 15. Apparatus as defined in claim 14 wherein: each of saidfinger elements being substantially less in width than the width of itsrespective trough.
 16. Apparatus as defined in claim 15 wherein: each ofsaid finger elements within each trough being staggered with respect toeach other across the width of its respective trough.
 17. Apparatus asdefined in claim 5 wherein: said first means include a finger assembly,said finger assembly having a plurality of spaced apart finger elementsto move within each of said troughs toward said exit opening, saidfinger assembly being movable by means of a continuous drive memberassembly, said finger elements being moved from said exit opening tosaid inlet opening through said second chamber out of association withsaid troughs.
 18. Apparatus as defined in claim 17 wherein: saidcontinuous drive member assembly being driven by a motor assembly, saidmotor assembly being capable of being varied in speed to thereby varythe velocity of movement of said finger elements with respect to saiddryer bed.
 19. Apparatus as defined in claim 17 wherein: said continuousdrive member assembly comprising a plurality of separate continuousdrive elements.
 20. Apparatus as defined in claim 19 wherein: each ofsaid continuous drive members comprising a chain.